Couple deemed ‘unfit parents’ as surprise visit reveals shocking house conditions

Charmaine Farrugia, 19, and her partner Jimmy Sacco lost their bid to have their two little boys returned home after a judge deemed the parents unfit to care for the children.

Farrugia, mother to a three-year-old boy and an eight-month old baby, together with her partner - father to the baby - requested a second bid to have a care order lifted. However, Judge Antonio Mallia ordered the court order remains in force for the best interest of the children.

A surprise inspection at the mother's house revealed disastrous conditions where the air smelt heavily of dog urine.

"All evidence brought against the couple proves the couple is not able to take care of their children. The court order should remain in force and it does not violate the parent's fundamental rights," the court ruled.

The first court order was issued in March, when the couple took the elder boy to Mater Dei Hospital suffering from head injuries. While doctors were told the child had fallen from his bed, medical experts believed the child had been hit.  Doctors also reported the child had in the past suffered arm and leg injuries.

As the boy recovered in hospital, a care order was issued and the baby placed under protective care. In April, the Court of Magistrates decreed that the two children should remain under a care order.

The couple filed a Constitutional claim arguing that their fundamental human rights had been violated when their children were taken from their care.

The fear that children may be hurt was reason enough to keep them under a care order, the judge ruled.

Medical reports showed the elder son had suffered fractures to his skull in three different places. Coagulated blood in the brain revealed it was caused by a severe impact. Doctors' reports also read the child had in the past suffered fractures to his left wrist and right leg, which injuries did not happen by accident and were never reported to the authorities.

Police investigations over these injuries are still ongoing.